Sabah mulls use of state land to build affordable homes

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah may provide state land to developers to enable affordable homes to be built for people in the B40 and M40 income groups, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Chief Minister said this is because providing houses to people in these brackets was one of the state government’s top priorities.

He called on the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) to work with the state government to help realise this initiative.

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“On our part, we are willing to consider allocating government land in Sepanggar near here to be developed by Shareda,” he said during Shareda Nite at a hotel here on Friday night (Nov 3).

“This is on condition that the prices of these houses are within reach of the intended B40 and M40 groups who will benefit most from this development.

“This is also the state government’s commitment to (develop) the real estate industry,” he added in his speech, read out by Deputy Chief Minister II and state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

The Chief Minister said efforts to provide homes to the people was reflected in the government’s RM125.6mil Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) programme in all 73 state constituencies.

Hajiji added that Shareda has been proactive in raising industry issues, among them the perimeters of and adjustments to Sabah’s Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) programme.

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Shareda had also touched on a proposal for the 99-year leasehold to be renewed at any point in the tenure; and the implementation of i-Miliki, an affordability assistance measure similar to the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC).

On SMM2H, Hajiji said the relevant enactment in the revised programme will be tabled at the state assembly.

“When SMM2H takes off, we expect an influx of talent, expertise and investments, which will benefit Sabah.

“The programme, with input from various stakeholders including Shareda, has been fine-tuned to make Sabah more attractive to foreigners,” he added.

He also agreed in principle to allow bumiputra lot buyers to liquidate their properties without delay and enable them to benefit from the sale to local and foreign buyers.

He said he had discussed the matter with Shareda president Datuk Chua Soon Ping to unlock the release mechanism of bumiputra lots from five to zero years for all new developments in Sabah.

“I have informed the state Local Government and Housing Ministry to look into this matter and take the necessary action.

“Bumiputra owners will continue to enjoy the special 5% discount for the lots,” he said.

Hajiji said the state was also committed to supporting green building technology to encourage more developers to comply with green initiatives.